The next round of provincial
finals in the Danone Nations Cup tournament will be the Free State playoffs at
the Clive Solomon Stadium in Bloemfontein on April 13th.
The six schools that won the
regional titles in the province will meet on that day, with the eventual
winners going on to represent the province at the national finals in
Johannesburg in 22 June. The nine provincial champions will play off for the
ultimate prize – a trip to London to represent South Africa at the Danone
Nations Cup World Finals in September and to meet with ex French international,
Zinedine Zidane.
The Free State provincial final
tournament will be the third - Rietrivier Primary School came through as the
Northern Cape winners, while Siphumele Primary School are winners of
KwaZulu-Natal.
The schools that will be playing
in the Free State provincial finals are: Monamodi Primary School representing
Lejweleputswa Region; Selogile Primary School – Fezile Dabi Region; Luckhoff
Combined School – Xhariep Region; Matswathaka Primary School - Thabo
Mofutsanyana Region; Emang Primary School – Motheo Region and Tlong- Kganyeng
Primary School – Masilonyana Region.
Three time provincial winners and
reigning Free State champions, Mofulatshepe Primary School were knocked out at
the cluster level this year.
Selogiloe Primary School, from
Parys only started participating in the Danone Nations Cup last year. Their
coach, Moses Phumo is very happy to have made it this far. “This is a big
achievement for us considering we only started participating in the tournament
last year. Making it to the provincials two times in a row shows that our
efforts and hard work was not in vain.” he said.
“I think we stand a chance of
winning the provincial title this time, because we have a much stronger and
more confident team. Five of the players from last year’s team are back; they
have the experience now and are able to motivate the new players.”
Selogiloe Primary started
preparations for 2013 DNC immediately after losing at the provincials last
year. “We started grooming the boys in June last year,” Phumo explained. “They
have shown commitment and determination. Ever since January, we have been
training every day after school and we will continue training throughout the
Easter holidays.” Phumo believes that the exit of reigning champions
Mofulatshepe Primary is a confidence booster. “Winning the provincial finals
will make our school, the community and Parys proud. It’s not going to be easy
but I am confident it is achievable.”
The coach
sees his captain Mathibe Tshepang, a striker, and defender Motasi Xolile as his
key players.
Also at the
provincial finals will be Emang Primary School from Thabanchu, near Botshabelo
Township. They started participating in the Danone Nations Cup in 2008.
This will be their first time at the provincial finals. Their coach, Thibogang
Ranosi, says they have been trying for seven years and he is glad that they
finally made it. “We persevered, even when times were hard, and the time has
now come to show what we are capable of. I know we going to face tougher
opponents, but anything is possible. I am proud of my team.”
He singled
out his captain, Thapelo Senakgomo, and midfielders Kgathi Tlotlo and Katlego
Mapitle as the players in his team to watch.
The next
Danone Nations Cup provincial finals will be in Limpopo on April 20. The Danone
Nations Cup is an under-12 competition involving thousands of boys and girls
from around the world. Danone hopes that each year, more and more children will
take part in this sporting event and live their dreams.
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